IT'S A MAJOR AWARD!

It's official.

I'm a little bit country.

And I have a First-Place Blue Ribbon from the NC Mountain State Fair to prove it!


Even if we Clemson fans might still be feeling a bit of a "sting" on this day, this one still has reason to be a proud wearer of orange.

Our first stop at the fair this morning had to be, of course, the competitive exhibits hall, where I left the crowning glory of our little garden patch at the beginning of the week. At dropoff, I felt pretty confident the pumpkin was a winner. It dwarfed the large watermelon next to it.

But on Thursday night, the local news showed a few shots from inside the exhibit hall. Clearly, there were a number of nice pumpkins on display, and one or two that were quite a bit larger than mine.

So, I didn't have my hopes set too high when we walked in this morning. The result, then, was overwhelming exultation when I saw that beautiful orange orb so complementarily decorated with the brilliant blue First Place ribbon. I admit, I got teary eyed.


One of the administrators offered to take our family picture. She was so pleased for us. She said in all her years of working with the fair, she had never seen anyone so excited over their winning vegetable. So then I felt a little sheepish. But why should I? It was glorious, so just for today, I'm going to soak that in.

Meet Pilot

We've been dog-less for four years now--four years since our dear but incorrigible Captain Von Trapp, the ever-barking, very much OVERGROWN, "miniature" Schnauzer mighty dog went to a happier home in the country. We have seen pictures. He is fat and happy. (And fat. Did I say that?)


Yesterday Bill and Jane's dream came true when they brought home this 4-month-old Boykin spaniel puppy. His name is Pilot. We are getting to know each other. So far, he seems sweet and more calm than most pups his age. Jane is thrilled. Jill is uncertain and thinks he's fine when he's in his "crib," but not too happy when he's in her face. Jane, on the other hand, doesn't mind that at all. Here they are nose-kissing.


There's sure to be a lot of adjusting for all of us around here in the next few weeks. Any thoughts on putting diapers on dogs?

History in a Broader Sense

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1785324681?bclid=1338935106&bctid=1913313052

We finished up our history course in the spring with the rise and fall of Rome. Then today, a friend sent this link to a unique concert being performed at the Coliseum. It was a moment of reflection for all of us, as we thought of the bloody history of that place, and this moment of redemption.

Autumn is in the Air

I suppose we all have to admit at some point that summer is really over.

The air is noticeably cooler today, and I'm watching for that shift in the light when it changes from summer's gold to just a bit more silvery during the day.

Some of the leaves are already giving in. I think I can hear them shout "Geronimo!" as they let go every now and then.

Last week, before sickness set in, we visited our garden spot again, and I found a wonderful fall surprise at the back edge, near the fence, mostly hidden under its own huge leaves and not a few gigantic weeds. Our first--and quite impressive--fall pumpkin!

Bill suggested that I enter it in the Mountain State Fair. I don't know if it's a prizewinner, but it surely is lovely, and just the suggestion from my husband--who has seen a lot of fine produce in his day--that anything I grew might be worth putting on display is a prize in itself.

Jill always has had a thing for gigantic orange vegetables. Last year, she hauled a huge candy-roaster around with her until I pried it from her pudgy arms and stewed it in the crockpot. She continued to enjoy it all winter long, just in a different context.

Oh Yes, He Is the Pater Familias

They call him "Daddy."

An Image from the Island

For some reason I can't quite put my finger on, this image really struck me.

I don't know this boy, but the little red wagon at the edge of the waves on the open, empty beach gives me such a feeling of serene expectancy. What is he thinking, sitting there all alone?

I don't know, but I do know I can relate. I wanted to pull my own wagon up beside him and just sit quietly, staring out at the sea until he might feel comfortable enough to tell me what was on his mind.

Sunrise to Sunset, Day 4 at Harbor Island

Jane and I greeted the morning about an hour before dawn. We hit the beach early to look for loggerhead hatchlings and watch the sun rise. The beach was all ours, and while we didn't see any baby turtles on their way to the water, we are pretty sure we saw several who had just made it to the rising surf speed on their way a few split seconds before we were close enough to get a very good look.

One nest is labeled to "go" tonight, so our plan is to get the entire family up at 5:00am and try again. Not sure how well I'll be able to focus at that hour...


We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon puttering around Beaufort, a charming, historic Southern town offering art galleries, non-chain restaurants, boats on the waterfront, candy stores, old-fashioned ice cream parlors, sportsman's outfitters, furniture and book stores where the staff take time to get to know you still. Each girl took a turn at the gumball machine in the Sweet Shoppe, and Emma came away the winner. A gumball stamped "winner" earns a free ice cream cone. Strawberry today.


After an afternoon nap, we tried crabbing at Johnson Creek, the waterway that runs between Harbor Island and Hunting Island. Bill's awfully proud of his catch--four feisty blues.


Dinner! Not a whole lot to go around, but it still beats PB&J.


A dramatic sky over the Creek before we head in for the night.


We made our last rounds stopping by the lagoon on Harbor Island where birds of all types roost for the night. (Sorry for the blurry shot--not a steady enough hand to hold the camera after dusk.)


And then we walked home on the beach, catching this view of the last few rays of sunlight silhouetting the oceanfront houses before calling it a night.

And as we crossed the boardwalk to close our day, I had to think of Annie Dillard's closing thoughts in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. My right foot said "Glory" and my left foot said "Amen."